Removable protective shelter for an activity or leisure area

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a removable protective shelter. It comprises a substantially rigid frame and a substantially watertight cover. The frame and cover form a plurality of telescopic shelter elements, every shelter element being assembled on watertight slides with regard to another adjacent shelter element by means of at least another roller-guiding system allowing the overall and relative movement of all shelter elements with regard to each other in particular with no lateral play. The shelter can be used for the protection of swimming pools, terraces, and the construction of mobile verandas

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a removable protective shelter for an activityor leisure area.

At present, an increasing number of installations used for differenttypes of activities or for leisure purposes must be protected inparticular from poor weather conditions, at least on a temporary basis,in order to ensure that the outdoor activity or leisure nature of theseactivities is maintained. This is the case for example of swimmingpools, play areas, terraces, greenhouses, entrances to stadiums orother.

Since the construction of a permanent cover cannot be easily consideredbecause of the above-mentioned reasons, removable protective structureshave been proposed in which no guiding structure on the ground is usedin order to simplify the implementation of such structures.

In a first known arrangement, telescopic components are erected with norails on the ground, a guide wheel being provided on each side of everycomponent. This arrangement does not allow for the lateral tensilestresses that are applied during use and does not permit the shelter tobe suitably positioned in order to be fixed to the ground.

A second known arrangement proposed the use of rigid rails as aconnection between the various components. However, this system provedto be of little practical use because of the systematic jamming of oneor more components during the tensile forces and/or pressure applied toopen up the shelter or during uncoordinated handling. In addition, inthis second embodiment, anchoring to the ground, ensured by means ofbolts, is time-consuming and tedious and the inadequate seal betweencomponents does not provide the shelter with the necessary correspondingquality.

Finally, due to the required presence of two rigid rails on the ground,the application of this type of structure to the installation ofshelters of the movable veranda type cannot be easily envisaged.

There is disclosed in FR-A-2,568,288 and FR-A-2,575,955 a telescopicprotective shelter of the general type already described but in whicheach shelter element is connected to an adjacent shelter element by asingle guiding device which includes a roller.

However, in operation such an arrangement has a tendency to jam when theshelter is being extended or contracted telescopically, due to theinadequacy of the aforementioned guiding arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to overcome the problems of shelterdevices referred to above.

Another object of this invention is the implementation of a removableprotective shelter for an activity or leisure area consisting of severaltelescopic shelter elements in which the overall and relative movementof all the shelter elements between them, with no lateral play, isobtained.

Another object of this invention is the implementation of a removableprotective shelter for an activity or leisure area that allows rapid andeffective fixing to the ground thereby ensuring great ease ofimplementation and use for the shelter thus obtained.

Another object of this invention is the implementation of a removableprotective shelter for an activity or leisure area made up of severaltelescopic shelter elements in which a specific frame can beimplemented, in accordance with the intended purpose of the shelterand/or its climatic environment.

Another object of this invention is the implementation of a removableprotective shelter for an activity or leisure area thanks to which, witha minor adjustment to the design, in addition to a necessary adjustmentto the shape, and application for the execution of movable verandas caneasily be achieved.

The removable protective shelter for an activity or leisure area, whichis the subject of this invention, consists of a substantially rigidframe and a substantially watertight cover over the frame.

It is significant in so far as the frame and cover form a plurality oftelescopic shelter elements, that shelter element is assembled onwatertight slides with regard to another adjacent shelter element bymeans of at least one dual roller-guiding system allowing the overalland relative movement of all shelter elements with regard to each other,with no lateral play.

It can be applied to the protection of all types of activity or leisureareas such as, in particular, swimming pools, terraces, verandas,entrances to stadiums or any building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be better understood when reading the description and examiningthe following drawings in which:

FIG. 1a is a sectional view of a shelter conforming to the object ofthis invention;

FIG. 1b is a front view of a shelter conforming to the object of thisinvention according to FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1c is a sectional view of a shelter conforming to the object ofthis invention in a more specific application for the protection of aterrace, the shelter forming a removable veranda;

FIG. 1d is a front view of a shelter conforming to the object of thisinvention in the application of FIG. 1c;

FIG. 2a represents an example of the implementation of a constituentshelter element of the shelter forming the object of this invention;

FIG. 2b represents a detail of the implementation of the shelter elementrepresented in FIG. 2a;

FIGS. 2c and 2d represent the assembly components of the shelter elementas represented in FIGS. 2a and 2b;

FIGS. 3a and 3b represent a detail of the implementation of the frame ofthe shelter element represented in FIGS. 2a and 2b;

FIG. 4a represents a top view, along the longitudinal cross-section ofthe dual roller-guiding system fitted to all shelter elements and alladjacent shelter elements constituting the shelter which forms theobject of this invention.

FIG. 4b represents a sectional view according to section A--A of FIG.4a; and

FIG. 5 represents, by way of a non-restrictive example, a detail of theexecution of the anchoring to the ground of one or several constituentshelter elements of a shelter according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A more detailed description of the removable protective shelter for anactivity or leisure area, which conforms to the object of thisinvention, will now be provided by referring to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d andsubsequent ones. According to FIG. 1a, the removable protective shelterfor an activity or leisure area, which forms the object of thisinvention, comprises a substantially rigid frame and a substantiallywatertight cover over the frame, the frame and cover forming severaltelescopic shelter elements. Every shelter element, such as, forexample, shelter element A₁, is assembled with regard to anotheradjacent shelter element A₂, by means of at least one dualroller-guiding system allowing the overall and relative movement of allshelter elements with regard to each other and of protective shelter A,with no lateral play.

FIG. 1a illustrates the case of a protective shelter according to theinvention, in opening direction D indicated by the arrow, for theprotection of, for example, a swimming pool P.

In general, as shown in the front view in FIG. 1b, the frame of everyshelter element A₁, A₂, or other consists of uprights of aluminiumsection assembled by means of connection angles.

Every shelter element is arch-shaped, as represented in FIG. 1bmentioned above, and every arch can be complete or partial depending onthe application required.

It must generally be pointed out that the longitudinal side ends ofevery shelter element such as A₁, A₂ or other are fitted with multiplerolling devices in order to facilitate the movement of the whole unitover a rolling area adjacent to the activity or leisure area to beprotected.

FIGS. 1cand 1d represent, as a non-restrictive installation variant, amore specific case of the application of the protective shelterconforming to the object of this invention in which the shape of everyshelter element is that of a partial arch, shelter A thus executed beingintended for the protection of a terrace T and, if need be, to form aremovable veranda.

In the specific case of the application of the protective shelteraccording to the invention to a terrace, as represented in FIGS. 1c and1d, it must be pointed out that the longitudinal side end of everyshelter element A₁, A₂ or other which is not situated close to theground can be advantageously inserted in a running rail fixed to thewall carrying this longitudinal side end.

A more detailed description of the arrangement of every shelter elementin the case of applications such as those represented in FIGS. 1a, 1band 1c, 1d will now be given by referring to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In general, as represented in FIG. 2a, it must be pointed out that everyshelter element such as shelter A₁ is made up a frame 1 consisting ofaluminium sections which constitute the uprights of this frame and aremarked with references 1₁,1₂,1₃.1₄,

As also shown in FIG. 2b, uprights consisting likewise of aluminiumsections marked with reference 1₅, 1₆ are assembled together by means ofconnection squares marked 3, as represented for example in FIG. 2c.

It must generally be pointed out that connection squares 3 are mouldedand that the angles have a given value and are suitable for everyapplication.

It must be pointed out that the angle of these types of squares variesthereby allowing every constituent arch of every shelter element such asA₁ to be executed in relation to the configuration chosen and adoptedfor the application considered. If shelter A and every correspondingshelter element is intended for an application as represented in FIGS.1c and 1d, it must be pointed out that the extreme end of upright 1₄ canbe fitted with an insertion clip in the running rail fixed to the wall,running clip bearing reference 3b, as shown in FIG. 2d.

It must generally be pointed out that every upright 1₁,1₂,1₃.1₄ isadvantageously fitted with rubber joints mounted on the outside surfaceof every upright, these rubber joints being marked with reference1₁₀,1₂₀,1₃₀,1₄₀.

The frame thus executed with the implementation of uprights 1₁,1₂,1₃.1₄,allows the formation of panels on which the cover can be installed andthis cover, which is marked with reference 2, can consist of polymer orPlexiglas or polycarbonate panels.

Sealing joints 1₁₀, 1₂₀, 1₃₀, 1₄₀ can then be mounted at right angles touprights 1₁,1₂,1₃.1₄, over the previously installed cover.

In addition every internal part of uprights 1₁ to 1₆ can be fitted withcovering brushes marked with reference 1₄₁ 1₅₁ and 1₆₁ as shown in FIG.2b. A suitable seal between adjacent shelter elements is thus obtainedthanks to the implementation of sealing joints 110 to 140 referred toabove as well as the covering brushes 1₄₁, 1₅₁ and 1₆₁ previouslydescribed.

As regards the execution of every panel to which cover 2 must beapplied, it must be pointed out that every substantially rectangularpanel as represented in FIG. 3a can be executed by assembling theuprights of aluminium section 1₁,1₂,1₃.1₄, by means of connectionsquares 3 as represented in FIG. 3b. The implementation of theseconnection squares will not be described in detail since it correspondsto a standard operation of the assembly of aluminium sections. Theseconnection squares can advantageously consist of squares marketed underthe trade mark of EVEREST for example.

Finally, it must be pointed out that the longitudinal side ends of everyshelter element such as A₁, as represented in FIGS. 2a and 3a are fittedwith multiple roller devices 4, these roller devices consisting ofmultiple wheels. From the practical point of view, it must be pointedout that every shelter element comprises for example at least eightwheels thus making it possible to consider a possible adjustment forground whose surface eveness is not specifically adapted to the use of aremovable protective shelter for an activity or leisure area conformingto the object of this invention. Multiple wheels 4 can be of any typeand, in particular, solid rubber wheels, cellular rubber wheels or lowpressure pneumatic wheels for example.

A more detailed description of an advantageous method of executing thedual roller-guiding system between adjacent shelter elements will now begiven by referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b.

According to FIG. 4a, it must be pointed out that, in the openingdirection of the shelter, arrow D in FIG. 4a, shelter A finally consistsof at least one shelter element at the front, for example shelterelement A₁, and of at least one shelter element at the back adjacentshelter element A₂. In fact a shelter element which is not situated atthe end of shelter A constitutes a front shelter element and a rearshelter element according to the definition given above. Every shelterelement situated at the end of the shelter, which is the object of thisinvention, in fact constitutes either a front shelter element or a rearshelter element of vice-versa.

As represented in FIG. 4a, it must be pointed out that every frontshelter element such as shelter element A₁ comprises, at the level ofevery longitudinal side end, that is to say upright M₁ in FIG. 4a, whichis nothing else but upright 1₃ in FIG. 3a fitted for example with allits accessories, cover 2, sealing joint and multiple wheel 4, at leastone guiding groove marked with reference 21, which is situated on thelongitudinal side end mentioned above, on the outside surface of frontshelter element A.

In addition as shown in FIG. 4a, every rear shelter element such as forexample A₂ comprises, in the same opening direction of the shelter, atthe level of every longitudinal side end, at least one guiding devicepositioned near the inside surface of this rear shelter element A₂. Thisguiding device comprises at least one guiding roller marked withreference 212 which is inserted in guiding groove 21 of front shelterelement A₁.

Where possible, guiding roller 212 is assembled on a transverse arm 210fixed directly at the end of the side upright M₂ or rear shelter elementA₂.

According to a particularly advantageous feature of the dual guidingdevice between the front and rear shelter elements mentioned above, itmust also be pointed out that, vice-versa, every rear shelter elementsuch as for example shelter element A₂, includes a guiding groove 20provided on the longitudinal side end, on the inside surface of thisrear shelter element and that every front shelter element such asshelter A₁, in the same opening direction of the shelter. includes atthe level of every longitudinal side end, a corresponding guidingelement positioned close to the outside surface of this front shelterelement A₁, and includes at least one guiding roller 112, which isinserted in guiding groove 20 of the rear shelter element A₂.

It can thus be understood that any front and rear shelter element, thatis to say any shelter element other than an end shelter element isadvantageously provided, at the level of every longitudinal side end,that is to say on uprights M₁, M₂ as represented for shelter elements A₁and A₂ respectively in FIG. 4a, with two grooves 20 and 21 in which aguiding roller 112, or 212 respectively, integral to upright M₁ of frontshelter element A₁, or to upright M₂ of rear shelter element A₂respectively, is inserted.

It must generally be pointed out that the guiding roller 112, 212 canconsist of a polytetrafluoroethylene roller, which then allows guidingwith minimum friction when placed in groove 20, or corresponding groove21 respectively. Roller 112 can then be assembled in a conventional wayalong guiding axis 111 and rotated into position on the latter in such away as to guarantee the guiding function mentioned above. The sameapplies to roller 212.

Thus, it is clear that every shelter element comprises at least oneguiding component positioned at its fore and/or rear front end.

In order to ensure that the removable protective shelter for an activityor leisure area conforming to the object of this invention is anchoredinto position once suitably opened, it must be pointed out that at leastone of the shelter elements can include an anchoring system to theground to allow the shelter element to be fixed in a given position.

In this case, it is obvious that the anchoring devices can be positionedon the ground at predefined places and that one or more of theseanchoring devices can be positioned on the shelter element running pathaccording to a given pitch. A more detailed description of thisanchoring system will be given by referring to FIG. 5.

The above mentioned figure is a front view of a shelter element such asshelter element A₂ shown in FIG. 3a.

As shown in FIG. 5 mentioned above, at least one of the uprights such asupright 1₄, for example vertical, can be fitted with an anchoring device6 consisting of a rod 60 fitted at its end 62 with several lockingdevices. Rod 60 is also fitted with an operating latch 61 which allowsrod 60 to be released and to move in a vertical translation directionfrom bottom to top and top to bottom so as to allow end 62 to beinserted in anchor 7 laid in the ground.

As shown in FIG. 5, anchor 7 can incorporate a housing 70 into which end62 of rod 60 is inserted when the latter is brought, by translation,into the above mentioned housing 70. Anchor 7 is also fitted with alever 71 and catches 73, level 71 being fitted with a return spring 72which operates lever 71 mentioned above. It is thus clear that whenshelter element A₂ is in a suitable position the operation of rod 60 bymeans of the handle 61 allows end 62 to be inserted into housing 70,lever 71 having been put in a substantially horizontal tilting positionto allow the whole end 62 of rod 60 to be inserted into housing 70 ofanchor 7. The release of level 71, when end 62 has been suitablyinserted, then allows rod 60 to be locked in by means of catches 73 andlever 71 and finally the corresponding shelter element A₁. If lever 71is tilted, catches 73 can be released from the locking devices and theupright can be unlocked.

A description has thus been given of a removable protective shelter foran activity or leisure area of particularly high-performance in so farat the dual guiding system between a front shelter element and a rearshelter element provides a satisfactory connection between these shelterelements and thus ensures that the shelter elements run straight so thatthe shelter as a whole operates satisfactorily.

In addition it must be pointed out that the use of aluminium sectionsand connection squares to maintain the parts connected at the correctangle allows every shelter element and finally the shelter thusconstituted to maintain its initial shape with no deformation due to thetensile stresses or pressure to which they are subject. Considering theexcellent water tightness obtained from the use of joints and coveringbrushes, it can be envisaged, on the basis of this characteristic, thatthe shelter will be used far more frequently and thus that its use willprove extremely flexible.

Considering this aspect, it must be pointed out that the installation ofverandas is thus facilitated and that the daily use and operating ofthis type of veranda will prove particularly attractive to users.

In addition it must be pointed out that in view of the good linearityand rigidity of the unit thus obtained, such rigidity in no wayaffecting the ease with which the shelter thus constituted can be openedup, it is quite feasible to envisage the implementation ofmotor-operated multiple wheels and a suitable control for the motoroperation in order to allow accurate positioning, in particular at theanchoring points as previously indicated in the description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telescopic shelter comprising a plurality ofshelter elements having ground engaging elements by which the shelterelements can be moved with respect to a supporting surface and havingguides interconnecting adjacent shelter elements, wherein the guidescomprise dual guiding grooves on each shelter element and forward andrear guiding elements engageable with respective grooves.
 2. Atelescopic shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward and rearguiding elements include roller devices, each of which is rotatableabout a substantially vertical axis.
 3. A telescopic shelter accordingto claim 2, wherein each shelter element includes a frame made up ofuprights of aluminium section assembled by means of connection squares,the shape of each shelter element being at least partially an arch, andlongitudinal side ends of each shelter element being fitted withmultiple said roller devices.
 4. A telescopic shelter according to claim2, wherein at least one of the shelter elements comprises an anchoringsystem to anchor the respective shelter element to ground, allowing saidshelter element to be fixed in a given position.
 5. A telescopic shelteraccording to claim 2, wherein the roller devices include multiple wheelspositioned at a front end of every shelter element.
 6. A telescopicshelter according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the shelterelements comprises an anchoring system to anchor the respective shelterelement to ground, allowing said shelter element to be fixed in a givenposition.
 7. A telescopic shelter according to claim 2, wherein eachshelter element is fitted, on at least one transverse side end thereof,with rubber joints and covering brushes between the movable shelterelements, thereby allowing waterproof sliding of said shelter elements.8. A telescopic shelter according to claim 7, wherein the roller devicesinclude multiple wheels positioned at a front end of every shelterelement.
 9. A telescopic shelter according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of the shelter elements comprises an anchoring system to anchor therespective shelter element to ground, allowing said shelter element tobe fixed in a given position.
 10. A telescopic shelter according toclaim 1, wherein each shelter element is fitted, on at least onetransverse side end thereof, with rubber joints and covering brushesbetween the movable shelter elements, thereby allowing waterproofsliding of said shelter elements.
 11. A telescopic shelter according toclaim 10, wherein at least one of the shelter elements comprises ananchoring system to anchor the respective shelter element to ground,allowing said shelter element to be fixed in a given position.
 12. Atelescopic shelter according to claim 1, wherein each shelter elementincludes a frame made up of uprights of aluminium section assembled bymeans of connection squares, the shape of each shelter element being atleast partially an arch, and longitudinal side ends of each shelterelement being fitted with multiple roller devices.
 13. A telescopicshelter according to claim 12, wherein each shelter element is fitted,on at least one transverse side end thereof, with rubber joints andcovering brushes between the movable shelter elements, thereby allowingwaterproof sliding of said shelter elements.
 14. A telescopic shelteraccording to claim 12, wherein at least one of the shelter elementscomprises an anchoring system to anchor the respective shelter elementto ground, allowing said shelter element to be fixed in a givenposition.
 15. A telescopic shelter according to claim 12, wherein theroller devices include multiple wheels positioned at a front end ofevery shelter element.